ICC fines Alzarri Joseph for "obscenity" during 1st ODI vs Bangladesh, pacer receives one demerit point

Alzarri Joseph returned with figures of 2/67 in the 1st WI vs BAN ODI.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point by the ICC for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during first ODI against Bangladesh in Basseterre.

The hosts won the first ODI by five wickets, courtesy of Sherfane Rutherford’s blistering knock of 113 (80) that helped West Indies chase down the target of 295 runs in 47.4 overs.

After the match, on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite levied charges on Alzarri Joseph for his offensive interaction with the fourth umpire before the start of play. During the chat, the speedster used “abusive language” with the umpire.

“The umpire had asked Joseph to avoid stepping onto the pitch with his spikes on, which prompted the inappropriate language,” the ICC commented.

Alzarri Joseph accepted the penalty

Apart from copping a 25% match fee fine, Joseph has also been given one demerit point, which is his second offence in a 24-month period. This decision was made in consultation with Match Referees Jeff Crowe.

The sanction was accepted by Joseph, who admitted to the offence and agreed to the penalty. Therefore, no formal hearing was required.

According to the rule, Level 1 breaches under the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

West Indies lead the three-ODI series 1-0. The second ODI will be played on December 10 at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

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